Political violence returns to Burundi

Friday, June 05, 2015 - 01:03

Protests have erupted in Burundi's capital after the electoral body postponed local and parliamentary elections due to be held on Friday. At issue is the president's bid for a third term in power. Nathan Frandino reports.

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Burundi's political crisis is heating up once again.
Local and parliamentary elections were supposed to be underway by now...but amid simmering tensions over President Pierre Nkurunziza's bid for a third term in office, they were postponed for fear of violence.
It made little difference. There was violence anyway.
(SOUNDBITE) (Swahili) DRIVER OF BURNOUT PUBLIC SERVICE VEHICLE, (NO NAME GIVEN) SAYING:
"I saw someone walking towards the vehicle and they spoke to me through the window, the next thing I saw was him setting the car on fire."
The near daily protests against the president's power play have plunged the country into crisis.
Residents say the unrest is taking a toll on their lives. This man says "We cannot continue like this."
With tensions mounting, residents hope the country can find a political solution, before the violence gets any worse.
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